Texas Rangers 2, Seattle Mariners 1

Rangers finally extend their divisional lead with terrific pitching performance.

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers extended their divisional lead for the first time in ten days Sunday, defeating the Seattle Mariners 2-1 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The win improved Texas to 87-59, three games ahead of the surging Oakland A's for first place in the AL West. Seattle fell to 70-77.

Photo not provided by the City of Seattle, Texas Rangers

Ah, Seattle. Where would the Rangers' W-L record be without you?

Rangers starter Matt Harrison was stellar, allowing just one run on six hits over eight and two-thirds innings. Harrison, who did not allow a runner past first base until former Ranger Justin Smoak's eighth-inning home run, benefited from three double plays, including two he started himself. Harrison walked one and struck out five, coming within one out of a complete game before he was lifted with runners at the corners. Koji Uehara came in and got the final strikeout for his first save as a Ranger.

Mariners starter Blake Beavan was excellent as well, giving up just two runs over seven innings and falling to 9-10 on the year.

After a lengthy rain delay, Texas finally opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth on Adrian Beltre's solo home run, his 33rd of the season. The Rangers doubled their lead in the next inning when Mitch Moreland doubled in David Murphy to make it 2-0, and the score stayed that way until Smoak's home run that made it a one-run game again.

The Rangers enjoy their final day off of the regular season Monday before starting a three-game road series against the 80-67 Los Angeles Angels, beginning Tuesday night.